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Extra counselors, police on hand after Connecticut school shooting

Superintendent, school district police reassure parents that schools are safe

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Updated: 5:24 PM EST Dec 17, 2012

Palm Beach County Superintendent Wayne Gent and school Police Chief Lawrence Leon want to reassure parents that schools in the district are safe.

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Extra counselors, police on hand after Connecticut school shooting

Superintendent, school district police reassure parents that schools are safe

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Updated: 5:24 PM EST Dec 17, 2012

Teachers and parents across the country are wrestling with how best to quell children's fears about returning to school for the first time since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., that left 26 dead, including 20 children.In Palm Beach County, there will be extra counselors and school police on every campus all week.School District Police Chief Lawrence Leon said he sent either a school police officer or had a local city or Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy at each school to reassure parents their campuses were safe."We'll do an evaluation to make sure that everything is in compliance later, and some of the information we're getting from the officers on hand," Leon said.Superintendent Wayne Gent said he had fielded calls from nervous parents and recorded a robo-call to parents and employees about the extra security.Parents waiting to pick up their children were also still shaken, but slightly reassured by the district's responses."If they have the gates locked, that’s a good precaution," said parent Joanne Davis. "To get into the building, they have to buzz you in, so that’s a good precaution. Outside of that, you just have to leave it in God's hands."More From WPBF: Email alerts | Mobile | SocialView, Share Breaking News Photos On WPBF.com's u local:9146236

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —

Teachers and parents across the country are wrestling with how best to quell children's fears about returning to school for the first time since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., that left 26 dead, including 20 children.

In Palm Beach County, there will be extra counselors and school police on every campus all week.

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School District Police Chief Lawrence Leon said he sent either a school police officer or had a local city or Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy at each school to reassure parents their campuses were safe.

"We'll do an evaluation to make sure that everything is in compliance later, and some of the information we're getting from the officers on hand," Leon said.

Superintendent Wayne Gent said he had fielded calls from nervous parents and recorded a robo-call to parents and employees about the extra security.

Parents waiting to pick up their children were also still shaken, but slightly reassured by the district's responses.

"If they have the gates locked, that’s a good precaution," said parent Joanne Davis. "To get into the building, they have to buzz you in, so that’s a good precaution. Outside of that, you just have to leave it in God's hands."